The KA-52 Gunship at Army 2019

Russian Helicopters has displayed the latest version of the KA-52 attack helicopter at the Army 2019 defense expo at Kubinka, in the Moscow region.

A derivative of the Kamov KA50 helicopter that used a tandem cockpit, KA-52 This version is based on the KA50, KA-52K is in service with the Russian Army and a navalized version, KA-52K is operated by the Egyptian Navy.

This version has foldable rotors and wings to fit the confined storage space aboard the ships. The Russian Helicopters company is currently developing the next generation combat rotorcraft to be introduced in 2024. This new platform is expected to be significantly faster, compared to current rotorcrafts.

KA-52 on display at the Army Forum 2018. Photo: Defense-UpdateA rear view of the KA-52 shows the tail area with a second UV missile-launch sensor completing the 360-degree coverage of the President-S system. Photo: Defense-UpdateKA-52 Armaments include the chin-mounted 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon with 460 rounds, the stub wings are configured four hardpoints each. Three are under the wing, mounting up to 12 missiles such as VIKHR or ATAKA, and four Igla S used as air-launched anti-aircraft missiles, rocket pods (up to 80 x 80mm rockets) and up to four 500 liters (130 Gal) external fuel tanks. Photo: Defense-Update.

The helicopter carries the President-S countermeasures suite including laser detectors and UV missile launch sensors, infrared jammers mounted in two rotatable turrets and UV-26 chaff-flare dispenser pods carried in pods mounted one each of the wing tips. Armaments include the chin-mounted 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon with 460 rounds, the stub wings are configured four hardpoints each. Three are under the wing, mounting up to 12 missiles such as VIKHR or ATAKA, Igla S used as an air-launched anti-aircraft missile, rocket pods (80mm) and 500 liters (130 Gal) fuel tanks.

The lower side of the KA-52N showing different elements of the PresidentS ECM suite. Photo: Defense-UpdateThe President-S ECM suite used on the KA-52K and is released for export.The UV missile launch sensor mounted on each side of KA-52K Photo: Defense-UpdateTwo optronic jammers are mounted on the KA-52K belly, one on each side. Photo: Defense-Update

On the night of September 14, 2019, several attacks rocked two strategic infrastructure sites in Saudi Arabia. One target was a large oil field at Khurais, recently developed by the Saudi national oil company Aramco. The second is the company’s main processing center and one of the world’s largest oil refineries at Buqayq, 200 km northeast of Khurais.